Free game bonus round for gaming machines

ABSTRACT

A system of linked gaming machines is disclosed herein. Upon a certain triggering event occurring, eligible gaming machines simultaneously receive a signal for initiating a free game bonus round. The players that have been playing the gaming machines will then play a certain number of free games in a competition with other players involved in the same bonus round. The player awarded the most credits or points from the play of the free games is awarded a special jackpot. Other jackpot games (e.g., split jackpot) are also envisioned. In another embodiment, a jackpot award or any award to the player may be granted based on a certain outcome of the free games. The possibility of the free game bonus round occurring at any time provides incentive for players to keep playing the linked gaming machines. The free game bonus round may also be played on a single non-linked machine where bonuses may be granted for credits exceeding certain levels. Other features are described, such as the dynamic allocation of percentages of wagers to various jackpots and other pots used in the free game bonus round.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This invention is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser.No. 10/464,109, entitled Free Game Bonus Round for Gaming Machines,filed on Jun. 17, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 10/277,525, entitled Device to Automatically ChangeAward Parameters for a Gaming Machine, filed on 21 Oct. 2002. Theseapplications are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention is related to gaming devices and, in particular,to a free game bonus round in linked gaming machines.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Modern gaming machines, such as video slot machines andmotor-driven reel type slot machines, are largely electronic. Suchgaming machines communicate via wires to a common computer foraccounting and other purposes. Such linked gaming machines may also becommonly controlled by a central controller for enhanced play. Theenhanced play may be the multiplication of the standard awards for aspecified period of time, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,217,448,incorporated herein by reference.

[0004] It is always desirable to develop new games and features toattract players to the gaming machines and to keep the players playingthose gaming machines.

SUMMARY

[0005] A system of linked gaming machines is disclosed herein. Upon acertain triggering event occurring, eligible gaming machinessimultaneously receive a signal for initiating a free game bonus round.The players that have been playing the gaming machines will then play,for example, ten free games in a competition with other players involvedin the same bonus round. The player awarded the most credits or pointsfrom the play of the free games is awarded a special jackpot.

[0006] After the bonus round, any credits won during the free game bonusround are added to the player's regular credits, so the player can thencash out or use such credits for playing regular games.

[0007] The possibility of the free game bonus round occurring at anytime provides incentive for players to keep playing the linked gamingmachines.

[0008] Other features are described, such as the dynamic allocation ofmoney from the players' wagers to various jackpots and other pots usedin the free game bonus round. In one embodiment, a free game pot (FGP),used to fund the “virtual” wagers during the free game round, is quicklyfilled to an adequate level by allocating a high percentage of thewagers to the FGP. Then, after the FGP is full, the percentages of thewagers allocated to the other pots, such as one or more jackpots, areincreased. In this way, each free game bonus round is fully funded priorto the bonus round being triggered.

[0009] Other features are also described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 shows a plurality of gaming machines commonly connected toa jackpot controller, which may be a separate controller or a controllerin one of the gaming machines operating as a master.

[0011]FIG. 2 is a flowchart of certain steps performed prior to, during,and after the free game bonus round.

[0012]FIG. 3 is a flowchart providing additional detail of dynamicallyallocating percentages of the wagers to the various pots.

[0013]FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of an electronic gamingmachine that may be operated in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] A system of linked gaming machines 1, illustrated in FIG. 1,comprises a plurality of gaming machines 2 a-2 d. In one embodiment,gaming machines 2 a-2 d are connected to a jackpot display enclosure 3that houses a publicly viewable jackpot display 5 and a display 6 toindicate the activation of the free game bonus round.

[0015] In one embodiment, a jackpot controller 4 (a processor) controlsvarious aspects of the bonus round feature, such as allocatingpercentages of the wagers to one or more pots, controlling the displaysin the jackpot display enclosure 3, and determining when the free gamebonus round is triggered. In other embodiments, the processing for thefree game bonus round is performed by one of the gaming machines 2 a-2 dacting as a master.

[0016] Gaming machines 2 a-2 d are linked within a communication networkby wires 7 or by a wireless connection. The gaming machines 2 a-2 d maybe video types that display conventional games on a display screen 8 ormay be motor-driven reel types where awards are based on combinations ofsymbols across one or more pay lines. Video gaming machines may alsosimulate the rotation of reels or conduct any other game, including cardgames, roulette, or any other known game.

[0017] Each gaming machine 2 a-2 d may have its own display 9 that candisplay any pertinent information, such as credits, the jackpot amountfor a free game bonus round, or the activation of the free game bonusround.

[0018] On the front of each gaming machine 2 a-2 d, there is a moneyacceptor 10 for accepting bills, coins, player account cards, prepaidcards, paper tickets with bar codes, or any other type of means forplaying the gaming machine.

[0019]FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating one process for conducting afree game bonus round.

[0020] In step 20, players play the linked gaming machines (GM) in anormal manner. Such games played may include obtaining winningcombinations of symbols on actual or video reels across one or more paylines or any other type of game, including card games.

[0021] In step 21, percentages of the wagers from the players playingthe linked gaming machines are allocated to one or more jackpots and oneor more pots related to the free game bonus round. In one embodiment,there are five pots that are filled with different percentages of thewagers, where the percentages are dynamically allocated based on whetherthe various pots have reached a certain level. Such an embodiment willbe described later with respect to FIG. 3. For simplicity in FIG. 2, itwill be assumed that only one jackpot is being filled by a percentage ofthe wagers in step 21.

[0022] In step 22, an event triggers a free game bonus round foreligible gaming machines. Such a triggering event may include thejackpot reaching a certain level, one of the players obtaining a specialwinning combination of symbols or other outcome, a random time event, orany other suitable event.

[0023] In one embodiment, a random number generator generates a numberwithin a certain range, and when the jackpot has reached that randomlyselected number, the free game bonus round is initiated for eligiblegaming machines. In other words, as long as the jackpot is within arange between a lower range and an upper range, the free game bonusround for that jackpot may be randomly initiated.

[0024] In one embodiment, the triggering of the free game bonus round bya controller, such as controller 4 in FIG. 1, causes a signal to betransmitted to one of the linked gaming machines to display a specialwinning symbol combination so that the player of that gaming machinebelieves that she is the cause of the free game bonus round beinginitiated. Alternatively, the free game bonus round may be randomlyinitiated by any gaming machine independently obtaining a special symbolcombination once the pots are at a specified minimum level.

[0025] The activation of the free game bonus round may be displayed ondisplay 6 in the jackpot enclosure 3 to add excitement and to gain theattention of potential players.

[0026] In step 23, for each gaming machine in the system, it isdetermined whether the gaming machine is eligible for the free gamebonus round. Gaming machines that are not being actively played are noteligible. In one embodiment, to be eligible, a gaming machine must havebeen played within a period of time, such as three seconds. Each gamingmachine may have a red light emitting diode (LED) and a green LED, whereillumination of the green LED indicates that the gaming machine iseligible for the free game bonus round. The green LED remains lit aslong as the player keeps the gaming machine sufficiently active.Alternatively, or in addition, a gaming machine may be eligible if thereare credits remaining in the machine. The red and green LEDs may besubstituted by an indication of eligibility on the main display screenor in a different manner.

[0027] If a gaming machine is not eligible then, in step 24, the gamingmachine is not enabled for the free game bonus round.

[0028] In step 25, it is determined whether the eligible gaming machinesare ready to play the free game bonus round. All current games mustfirst be completed before a free game bonus round starts.

[0029] In step 26, once all regular games have been completed, acontroller, such as controller 4 in FIG. 1 or a master gaming machine,sends a start signal to all the eligible gaming machines simultaneously.The start signal controls each of the eligible gaming machines to play Nfree games. In one embodiment, each eligible gaming machine is enabledfor ten free games.

[0030] A special animation on the gaming machines' display screens mayexplain the free game bonus round and add excitement to the bonus roundcompetitions.

[0031] In step 27, the players play the N free games by pressing thespin reels button or playing any other game in the conventional manner.During the N free games, credits are accumulated based upon the resultsof the free games. The credits won during the free game bonus round maybe displayed on a special meter (e.g., display 9 in FIG. 1) that hasbeen reset to zero at the start of the bonus round. If the machine is avideo type machine, the credits may be displayed on the video screen.

[0032] The number of credits awarded for any wins during the free gamesis based upon the last bet made by the player in the conventional playmode in step 20. This encourages players to play maximum bets during theconventional play mode so that this maximum bet will be applied to allfree games during the free game bonus round.

[0033] Instead of credits being awarded in the bonus round, points canbe awarded and the jackpot granted to the player with the most points.In all embodiments described herein, points may be substituted forcredits. The points or credits are referred to herein as winning units.

[0034] A player may be notified on a display screen whether the playeris in the number one, number two, number three, etc. position during theongoing free game bonus round.

[0035] In step 28, after all games have been played in the free gamebonus round, a controller, such as controller 4 in FIG. 1 or one of thegaming machines, determines which player has won the most credits duringthe bonus round.

[0036] In step 29, the player that won the most credits (or winningunits) during the free game bonus round wins the jackpot prize. Thegaming machine may pay off the player in credits or coins, or signalsfor an attendant to pay the player if insufficient coins are in themachine.

[0037] In another embodiment, instead of a competition, the jackpot issplit between all the participating machines at the end of the bonusround.

[0038] The credits won by each player during the bonus round are thentransferred to the main credit meter (e.g., meter 31 in FIG. 1) so thatthe player can then either cash out or play those credits in subsequentgames.

[0039] In step 30, normal play resumes.

[0040] The process of FIG. 2 is a game neutral concept in that it may beapplied on top of any type of game played on linked gaming machines.Accordingly, any modern electronic gaming machine may be augmented toplay the free game bonus round. Simple control signals applied by acontroller can control the electronic gaming machines to play any numberof free games.

[0041]FIG. 3 is a flowchart that describes the dynamic allocation ofmoney to various pots used in one embodiment. In one embodiment, thepots associated with the free game bonus round include jackpot 1 (JP1),jackpot 2 (JP2), hidden JP1, hidden JP2, and free game pot (FGP). JP1 isa relatively small jackpot (e.g., 50-100 dollars) that is eligible forwinning frequently, such as multiple times per day. JP2 is a largerjackpot (e.g., 1,000-2,000 dollars) that is eligible for winning muchless frequently than JP1.

[0042] Hidden JP1 is a pot that is used to refill JP1 to a startinglevel after JP1 has been won by a player. Providing a non-zero startingvalue of JP1 is preferable to JP1 starting at a zero value so playershave more incentive to play the machines. Hidden JP2, used to refill JP2after JP2 has been won, is typically larger than hidden JP1.

[0043] The free game pot is a pot that is calculated to finance thevirtual wagers to play the free games during the free game bonus roundso that all the virtual wagers for the free games are paid from the freegame pot. By filling the free game pot before a bonus round can betriggered, the free game bonus round feature adds no additional expenseto the casino since the free games are funded by the linked machines.

[0044] In one embodiment, the free game pot is calculated by multiplyingthe number of linked gaming machines by the number of free games offeredin a bonus round (e.g., ten) and by the maximum bet. The free game potis based on the worst-case scenario, where it is assumed that all gamingmachines are eligible and all players are playing the free game bonusround using a maximum bet. Since an average payout percentage istypically from 88%-98%, the free game pot will, in the long term, fundthe free game bonus round.

[0045] The adequacy of the free game pot for a free game bonus round mayalso be dynamically determined based upon the current bet for each ofthe eligible machines rather than based upon the worst-case scenario ofthe maximum bet multiplied by the number of machines, since the currentbet for each eligible machine will be used for each of the games in thefree game bonus round. Accordingly, the adequacy of the free game potcan be determined instantaneously from game to game played on the gamingmachines and, if adequate, a free game bonus round may be initiated if atriggering event occurs.

[0046] The virtual wagers during the free game bonus round are taken outof the free game pot. Any remaining money stays in the free game pot andis used to reach the necessary amount for the next free game bonusround.

[0047] There may be various algorithms used for filling the free gamepot other than described above. For example, if the eligible machinesplay different games, the virtual wagers for the free games may beaffected. One machine may be a 5-reel, 5-pay line, 1 credit per linemachine (a 5-5-1 machine) and others may be 5-9-5 machines, withdifferent virtual wagers per game. The amount to fill the free game potmay take into account the actual games being played during the bonusround. As another example, the eligible machines may have a variety ofdenominations (value of a single credit). This will also affect theadequacy of the free game pot and may be taken into account whendetermining if the free game pot is adequate to initiate the bonusround.

[0048] A hidden pot may be used to fully or partially refill the freegame pot after the end of a bonus round.

[0049] The flowchart of FIG. 3 will be used to explain how thepercentages of the wagers allocated to the different pots may bedynamically changed based upon the levels of the pots.

[0050] In step 40, it is assumed that the previous free game bonus roundhas ended and all awards are paid. For example, assume JP1 has been paidand hidden JP1 is transferred to the JP1 pot to provide a starting valuefor JP1. Since the previous bonus round jackpot is assumed to have beenfor JP I, JP2 and hidden JP2 have not changed during the bonus round.The free game pot from which all wagers during the free game bonus roundare taken is now reduced to a low value. In step 40, a new potaccumulation cycle now begins.

[0051] In step 41, the master controller, such as controller 4 in FIG. 1or one of the gaming machines acting as a master, determines the currentlevels of all the pots JP1, JP2, hidden JP1, hidden JP2, and free gamepot. Each pot, including the free game pot, may have a base (minimum)value.

[0052] Certain percentages of the wagers are allocated to the variouspots JP1, JP2, hidden JP1, hidden JP2, and free game pot, while keepingthe total percentage fixed. The total percentage may be any amountdetermined by the casino. The most important pot to fill first is thefree game pot since all the wagers during the free game bonus roundshould be fully supplied by the free game pot.

[0053] In step 42, since the free game pot must be filled before anyfree game bonus round can be triggered, the allocation percentage to thefree game pot is set high to quickly fill the free game pot. Since thetotal percentage of the wagers allocated to the pots is a fixedpercentage, setting the free game pot allocation high requires thepercentage for the remaining pots to be set lower. In one embodiment,the percentage of the wagers allocated to other than the free game potis set to zero so the maximum allocation percentage is applied to thefree game pot until the free game pot is filled. In some jurisdictions,a zero level is impermissible, and a non-zero percentage must be used.

[0054] The controller determines all the amounts wagered in the linkedgaming machines and fills the pots in accordance with their respectivedynamically allocated percentages.

[0055] In step 43, it is determined whether the free game pot is filled.If not, the percentage allocations remain unchanged.

[0056] In step 44, if the free game pot is filled, then the percentagesof the wagers allocated to the other pots are increased, as appropriate,and the percentage of the wagers allocated to the free game pot isreduced to zero (or other low amount). If the free game pot is filled,the free game bonus round may be triggered by a triggering event.

[0057] In step 45, it is determined whether the bonus round has beentriggered based on a certain event. In one embodiment, the bonus roundis triggered upon either of the jackpots JP1 or JP2 reaching a certainlevel. This level, within a certain range, may be determined randomly bya random number generator. A much lower level for JP1 is required totrigger the bonus round for winning JP1, so JP1 will be eligible forwinning much more frequently than JP2 will be eligible for winning. Ifthe bonus round is triggered, the process will then proceed as describedwith respect to FIG. 2.

[0058] Various features may be added to add excitement to the free gamebonus round such as by providing a celebration type of display on themain display of each gaming machine. Further, the jackpots (or a thirdjackpot) to be won may remain a mystery rather than being displayed tothe players. The frequency of the low jackpot JP1 and the frequency ofhigh jackpot JP2 being available for winning may be adjusted to beoptimum by selecting the triggering level for each jackpot and selectingthe percentage of the wagers allocated to each of the jackpots.

[0059] The number of free games in the bonus round may be fixed for allplayers or may be different depending upon the player's previous betprior to the free game bonus round being initiated as an incentive forthe player to play a maximum bet.

[0060] Further, the number of free games played in the bonus round maybe the same for each player but the number of free games during a bonusround may change depending on any number of factors such as randomly orbased upon the jackpot level.

[0061] The percentage allocated to each of the jackpots (including thehidden jackpots) may be dynamically adjusted to optimize the performanceof the system or to add variety to the bonus round feature. For example,the dynamic allocation may also be applied to the hidden jackpots forJP1 and JP2 to vary the starting values of JP1 or JP2 after the jackpotis won. This can be used to adjust the time it takes for JP1 or JP2 toreach the trigger level for the bonus round. In another example, when anupper limit to the one of the jackpots JP1 or JP2 is close to beingreached, the percentage allocation for that jackpot is reduced, and thepercentage of the wagers to the associated hidden jackpot is increased.Also, if the time from the last bonus round is unduly long, thepercentage allocation to one of the jackpots may be increased in orderto quickly trigger a bonus round.

[0062]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of one type of gaming machine 60 thatmay be linked to other gaming machines and may include software to carryout the free game bonus round. The gaming machine 60 may useconventional hardware. Existing electronic gaming machines are alreadyequipped with hardware/software that detects special codes to play freegames, such as for testing or demonstrating the machine, soimplementation of the present invention (running a software program on acontroller) is relatively simple.

[0063] A communications board 62 may contain conventional circuitry forcoupling the gaming machine 60 to a local area network (LAN) or othertype of network using Ethernet or any other protocol. The communicationsboard 62 transmits using a wireless transmitter, or it may be directlyconnected to a network running throughout the casino floor. Thecommunications board 62 basically sets up a communication link with amaster controller and buffers data between the network and the gamecontroller board 64. The communications board 62 may also communicatewith a network server for purposes other than the free game bonusfeature.

[0064] The game controller board 64 contains memory and a processor forcarrying out programs stored in the memory and for providing theinformation requested by the network. The game controller board 64primarily carries out the game routines.

[0065] Peripheral devices/boards communicate with the game controllerboard 64 via a bus 66 using, for example, an RS-232 interface. Suchperipherals may include a bill validator 67, a coin detector 68, a smartcard reader or other type of credit card reader 69, and player controlinputs 70 (such as buttons or a touch screen). An audio board 71converts coded signals into analog signals for driving speakers. Adisplay controller 72, which typically requires a high data transferrate, converts coded signals to pixel signals for the display 73.Display controller 72 and audio board 71 may be directly connected toparallel ports on the game controller board 64.

[0066] The electronics on the various boards may be combined onto asingle board.

[0067] In an embodiment where a gaming machine acts as the mastercontroller for the bonus round, the gaming machines automatically selectone gaming machine to be the master. The other machines become theslaves. The master will then have the additional responsibility ofcontrolling the free game bonus round.

[0068] Instead of the free game bonus round being played on linkedmachines, the free game bonus round may be played on a non-linkedmachine, where no other machines are competing in the bonus round.

[0069] In one embodiment, the players do not compete in the bonus round.Winnings in the bonus round may be limited to the winnings from theindividual free games and would not necessarily include a jackpot win atthe end of the round.

[0070] In one embodiment, instead of, or in addition to, a single mainjackpot being won, each player may be awarded a bonus amount for creditsor points won during the bonus round exceeding a specified level. Forexample, if the credits won during the round are less than 500 credits,the player wins no bonus award; if the credits won during the round are500-1000 credits, the player wins a jackpot 4 bonus; if the credits wonduring the round are 1001-2000 credits, the player wins a jackpot 3bonus; if the credits won during the round are 2001-5000 credits, theplayer wins a jackpot 2 bonus; and if the credits won during the roundare greater than 5000 credits, the player wins a jackpot 1 bonus (thelargest jackpot). The bonuses may be fixed amounts or progressiveamounts. This concept can also be applied to a competition, where theplayer with the most accumulated bonuses at the end of the free gamebonus round receives a special jackpot.

[0071] In an alternative embodiment, the level of the jackpot won by aplayer with the most credits in the free game bonus round depends on thenumber of credits won during the free game bonus round.

[0072] Additionally, the awards won in the free game bonus round neednot be based on the total credits won during the free game bonus round.An award to a player can be granted based on the outcome of one or moreparticular games, such as the first free game or the last free game inthe bonus round. The one or more particular games may be predetermined,selected randomly, or selected by the player. An award may be grantedfor a free game with a certain outcome, such as an outcome displaying awild card, a high value symbol, a scatter symbol, or a specialcombination of symbols. The player may even decide which symbol, symbolcombination, or other event grants an award. If an award is based ondisplaying one or more symbols across an activated payline, the playershave incentive to bet a maximum number of credits during the paid gamesif the number of activated paylines during the free games is based onthe number of credits bet during the last paid game. The awards grantedmay be the jackpot, a portion of the jackpot, a fixed award, aprogressive award, a mystery award, or any other type of award.

[0073] The various bonus awards described above may not require that theplayer be playing in a free game bonus round.

[0074] The jackpot controller 4 may control a gaming machine to create anear-miss outcome, where the symbol combination is nearly a jackpotcombination but results in no award to the player. By creating nearmisses with no payouts, the free game bonus round can be triggered morefrequently, and the level of excitement is increased.

[0075] A gaming machine, standing alone or in a system of gamingmachines, may award a jackpot during normal play by displaying a specialjackpot symbol combination as a result of a random selection of symbolsby the gamine machine or as a result of a jackpot controller determiningthe jackpot win by the gaming machine. Another jackpot may be awardedduring the free game round, as described above. Any outcome of thegaming machine may be designated a jackpot win. There may be differentlevels of jackpot wins depending on the symbol combination displayed.For example, a 5-symbol combination may win the top jackpot; a 4-symbolcombination may win the second highest jackpot, etc.

[0076] Having described the invention in detail, those skilled in theart will appreciate that given the present disclosure, modifications maybe made to the invention without departing from the spirit and inventiveconcepts described herein. Therefore, it is not intended that the scopeof the invention be limited to the specific embodiments illustrated anddescribed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method performed by a first gaming machinecomprising: receiving wagers from a player playing paid games on thefirst gaming machine; detecting a free game bonus round initiationsignal; enabling the player to play N free games, where N is greaterthan or equal to 1; and granting an award to the player based on acertain outcome of the free games played.
 2. The method of claim 1wherein granting an award to the player based on a certain outcome ofthe free games played comprises granting an award to the player based onan outcome of one or more particular free games.
 3. The method of claim1 wherein granting an award to the player based on a certain outcome ofthe free games played comprises granting an award to the player based ona display of a particular symbol during one or more of the free games.4. The method of claim 1 wherein granting an award to the player basedon a certain outcome of the free games played comprises granting anaward to the player based on a display of a particular symbol across anactivated payline during one or more of the free games.
 5. The method ofclaim 1 wherein granting an award to the player comprises granting ajackpot, a portion of a jackpot, a fixed award, a progressive award, ora mystery award to the player.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein thefirst machine is connected within a system of gaming machines, andwherein other eligible gaming machines within the system of gamingmachines also receive a free game bonus round initiation signal.
 7. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising accumulating winning units fromwinning outcomes from each free game played, and wherein granting anaward to the player comprises granting an award to the player based onaccumulated winning units from winning outcomes of free game played. 8.The method of claim 7 further comprising detecting a signal that theplayer has won more winning units during the free game bonus round thanother players participating in the free game bonus round and, inresponse to such detecting, awarding the player an additional award. 9.The method of claim 7 wherein the winning units are credits.
 10. Themethod of claim 7 wherein the winning units are points.
 11. The methodof claim 1 further comprising: accumulating an amount in a free game potbased at least partially on a percentage of wagers from the paid games,the free game pot for funding the free game bonus round; and deductingamounts from the free game pot to fund the free games being played. 12.The method of claim 11 further comprising: detecting a level of the freegame bonus pot; and determining that the level of the free game pot issufficient to fund all free games played during the free game bonusround prior to the free game bonus round initiation signal beinggenerated.
 13. The method of claim 12 further comprising calculating alevel of the free game pot sufficient to pay for all free games playedduring the free game bonus round.
 14. The method of claim 13 whereincalculating the level comprises multiplying N by a maximum bet for thefirst gaming machine.
 15. The method of claim 13 wherein calculating thelevel comprises calculating the total amount of virtual wagers that willbe bet during the free game bonus round.
 16. The method of claim 13wherein the first gaming machine is connected within a system of gamingmachines, and wherein other eligible gaming machines within the systemof gaming machines also receive a free game bonus round initiationsignal, wherein calculating the level comprises multiplying the numberof machines within the system by N and by a maximum bet for themachines.
 17. The method of claim 13 wherein the first gaming machine isconnected within a system of gaming machines, and wherein other eligiblegaming machines within the system of gaming machines also receive a freegame bonus round initiation signal, wherein calculating the levelcomprises multiplying the number of machines participating in the freegame bonus round by N and by a maximum bet for the machines.
 18. Themethod of claim 11 further comprising dynamically adjusting thepercentage of wagers from the paid games to the free game pot dependingon a level of the free game pot.
 19. The method of claim 18 whereindynamically adjusting comprises: setting the percentage at a firstpercentage when the level of the free game pot is below a certain level;and setting the percentage at a second percentage, different from thefirst percentage, when the level of the free game pot is above a certainlevel.
 20. The method of claim 11 wherein each free game played is agame played with the player's last wager from the paid games prior tothe initiation of the free game bonus round.
 21. The method of claim 1wherein each free game played is a game played with the player's lastwager from the paid games prior to the initiation of the free game bonusround.
 22. The method of claim 1 further comprising filling, with apercentage of the wagers for the paid games, a plurality of pots usedfor the free game bonus round, the plurality of pots including a jackpotand a free game pot, the free game pot being used to fund the free gamebonus round.
 23. The method of claim 22 wherein the plurality of potsfurther comprises a hidden jackpot for supplying an initial level of thejackpot after the jackpot has been won.
 24. The method of claim 22further comprising dynamically allocating a percentage of the wagers forthe paid games to the jackpot and the free game pot depending on thelevel of the free game pot.
 25. The method of claim 1 further comprisingaccumulating winning units from winning outcomes of each free gameplayed, and wherein granting an award to the player comprises granting ajackpot based on the number of winning units won during the free gamebonus round.
 26. The method of claim 1 further comprising accumulatingwinning units from winning outcomes of each free game played, andwherein granting an award to the player comprises granting a first bonusamount if a number of winning units won during the free game bonus roundexceeds a first level, and granting a second bonus amount if a number ofwinning units won during the free game bonus round exceeds a secondlevel, higher than the first level.
 27. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising generating the free game bonus round initiation signal basedon a random event.
 28. The method of claim 1 further comprisinggenerating the free game bonus round initiation signal based on a randomtime event.
 29. The method of claim 1 further comprising generating thefree game bonus round initiation signal based on an outcome of thegaming machine.
 30. The method of claim 1 further comprising generatingthe free game bonus round initiation signal based on a predeterminedevent.
 31. The method of claim 1 further comprising: funding a jackpotfrom a percentage of wagers from the paid games; and generating the freegame bonus round initiation signal based on the jackpot reaching acertain level.
 32. The method of claim 1 further comprising: funding twoor more jackpots from different percentages of wagers from the paidgames; and generating the free game bonus round initiation signal basedon any of the jackpots reaching a certain level.
 33. The method of claim1 wherein the paid games comprise spinning reels having symbols, whereawards are based on combinations of symbols obtained after the reelsstop spinning.
 34. The method of claim 33 wherein the spinning reels aredisplayed on a video screen.
 35. The method of claim 1 wherein themethod further comprises awarding a jackpot based on an outcome of afree game bonus round.
 36. The method of claim 1 wherein the methodfurther comprises awarding one of a plurality of jackpots based on anoutcome of a free game bonus round.
 37. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising a jackpot controller, independent from the first gamingmachine, controlling the first gaming machine to display a jackpotwinning outcome.
 38. The method of claim 1 further comprising a jackpotcontroller, independent from the first gaming machine, controlling thefirst gaming machine to display a near miss of a jackpot winningoutcome.
 39. The method of claim 1 further comprising accumulatingwinning units from winning outcomes of each free game played, andwherein granting an award to the player comprises granting a bonusamount, wherein the amount depends on a number of winning unitsaccumulated during the free game bonus round.
 40. The method of claim 1further comprising splitting a jackpot amongst players at the end of thefree game bonus round.
 41. A gaming machine comprising: a display fordisplaying paid games to a player; and at least one processor forcarrying out the following method: detecting a free game bonus roundinitiation signal; enabling the player to play N free games, where N isgreater than or equal to 1; and granting an award to the player based ona certain outcome of the free game played.
 42. The machine of claim 41wherein the machine is connected within a system of gaming machines, andwherein other eligible gaming machines within the system of gamingmachines also receive a free game bonus round initiation signal.
 43. Themachine of claim 41 further comprising the at least one processoraccumulating winning units from winning outcomes of each free gameplayed, wherein granting an award comprises granting an award to theplayer based on accumulated winning units from winning outcomes of freegame played.
 44. The machine of claim 41 further comprising the at leastone processor detecting a signal that the player has won more winningunits during the free game bonus round than other players participatingin the free game bonus round and, in response to such detecting,awarding the player an additional award.
 45. The machine of claim 41further comprising the at least one processor accumulating an amount ina free game pot based on a percentage of wagers from the paid games, thefree game pot for funding the free game bonus round, and deductingamounts from the free game pot to fund the free games being played. 46.The machine of claim 45 further comprising the at least one processordetecting a level of the free game bonus pot, and determining that thelevel of the free game pot is sufficient to fund all free games playedduring the free game bonus round prior to the free game bonus roundinitiation signal being generated.
 47. The machine of claim 41 whereinthe paid games comprise spinning reels having symbols, where awards arebased on combinations of symbols obtained after the reels stop spinning.48. The machine of claim 47 wherein the spinning reels are displayed ona video screen.
 49. The machine of claim 41 further comprising acommunications port for receiving a signal from a jackpot controller,independent from the gaming machine, to control the gaming machine todisplay a jackpot winning outcome.
 50. The machine of claim 41 furthercomprising a communications port for receiving a signal from a jackpotcontroller, independent from the gaming machine, to control the gamingmachine to display a near miss of a jackpot winning outcome.
 51. Themachine of claim 41 further comprising the at least one processoraccumulating winning units from winning outcomes of each free gameplayed, wherein granting an award to the player comprises granting anaward to the player based on accumulated winning units from winningoutcomes of free game played, and wherein the winning units are credits.52. The machine of claim 41 further comprising the at least oneprocessor accumulating winning units from winning outcomes from eachfree game played, wherein granting an award to the player comprisesgranting an award to the player based on accumulated winning units fromwinning outcomes of free game played, and wherein the winning units arepoints.
 53. A jackpot controller for a system of gaming machinescomprising: at least one processor for detecting a level in a free gamepot for funding a free game bonus round, and triggering a free gamebonus round for eligible gaming machines only after the free game pot isdeemed sufficient to fund the free game bonus round.
 54. A gaming methodfor use by one or more gaming machines comprising: conducting paidgames; conducting a bonus round, the bonus round being initiated by atriggering event; allocating funds to a plurality of pots, including afunding pot for funding the bonus round, wherein allocating fundscomprises allocating percentages of wagers for playing the paid games tothe plurality of pots; and dynamically adjusting the percentages ofwagers to the plurality of pots depending on a level of at least one ofthe pots.
 55. The method of claim 54 wherein dynamically adjusting thepercentages of wagers to the plurality of pots comprises: setting thepercentage allocated to the funding pot at a first percentage when thelevel of the funding pot is below a certain level; and setting thepercentage allocated to the funding pot at a second percentage,different from the first percentage, when the level of the funding potis above a certain level.
 56. The method of claim 54 further comprisingdetermining when the level of the funding pot is at least sufficient tofully fund the bonus round, and wherein setting the percentage allocatedto the funding pot at a second percentage when the level of the fundingpot is above a certain level comprises setting the percentage allocatedto the funding pot at the second percentage when it is determined thatthe funding pot is at least sufficient to fully fund the bonus round.57. The method of claim 54 wherein the plurality of pots furthercomprises a jackpot.
 58. The method of claim 54 wherein the paid gamescomprise spinning reels having symbols, where awards are based oncombinations of symbols obtained after the reels stop spinning.